Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

A nurturing and creative environment where every child feels safe, valued, and inspired to learn through play

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35 Austen Rd, Guildford, GU1 3NP

Mon - Fri: 08:00 - 18:00

Age: 1 - 60 months

Fee table

Open Day: Sat 16 May

About Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School is an OFSTED GOOD (2024) nursery based in a beautiful Georgian house in a leafy residential area of Guildford. We offer a warm and homely atmosphere where children are encouraged to grow in confidence and independence.
Our children are at the heart of our curriculum – their thoughts, actions, interests, cultural capital and individuality are woven into the rich tapestry of the experiences that we offer them.
Through our dedicated support and teaching, it is our aim that each child leaves us having experienced the awe and wonder of learning and is ready for and excited about the next step on their learning journey.
We place a strong emphasis on open and two-way communication with our parents as this plays an important part in planning the children’s next steps and helping them to achieve their full potential.
If you would like to visit our nursery, please feel free to book a tour. Our tours are at 9.45am, Monday to Friday, and we also hold Open House events throughout the year, the dates for which will be on this website.

Nursery Facilities

Discover the facilities available at our nursery and how they support your child's care, learning, and development.

Buggy Store

A dedicated space to safely store your buggy during the day, making drop-off and pick-up easier and hassle-free.

Our Nursery Fees

We understand how important it is to have a clear picture of the costs associated with your child's care. Our fee sheet is designed to be transparent and straightforward, so please click below and take your time to look through it.

You can also learn more about fees and funding options on our dedicated pages Fees and funding page

If you have any questions at all, please do get in touch. We are always happy to talk things through with you.

Our Fees

Nutritional Approach

We believe food is fundamental to healthy growth, happy minds, and positive lifelong habits. In the earliest years, what children eat shapes taste preferences, supports brain development, and lays the foundations for long-term health.

All meals are freshly prepared on site each day using quality, seasonal ingredients. Our menus are developed with expert guidance, designed for inclusion, and go beyond Early Years Foundation Stage requirements. We want every child to become a confident, curious eater.

Our Menu

Meet Our Nursery Managers

Julie Wilson

Hi, I'm Julie. My childcare journey began in 1993 after a long career in banking in the City. I graduated from The Maria Montessori Training Organisation in London with a Level 4 qualification.

Since then, I have been fortunate enough to work in a diverse range of childcare settings. I have set up and managed nurseries in Dubai and South Africa and have worked in Australia and in Central London.

Drayton House has been providing childcare and early years education to children for many years, and I have been privileged to be here since 2015. We are now welcoming the children of parents who came here as children themselves. It is such a rewarding experience to be part of such an incredible timeline. I will never tire of watching the children develop and grow in confidence towards the next steps in their educational lives.

What to Expect on Your Nursery Tour

Our Next Open Day

Saturday 16th of May:9am-1pm

Meet our friendly team

Learn about our curriculum

Explore funding options

Explore our rooms and areas

Our Commitments

Our curriculum is built around five core commitments that guide how we nurture every child.

Critical And Creative Thinkers

Nurturing curiosity and confidence to imagine, test ideas, and solve problems through exploration.

Sense of Belonging

Building secure, trusting relationships so every child feels safe, valued, and confident.

Explorers of Our World

Connecting children to nature through outdoor experiences that build resilience and independence.

Confident Communicators

Supporting every child to express themselves in ways that are meaningful to them.

Happy and Healthy

Encouraging physical activity, healthy eating, and joyful experiences that support lifelong wellbeing.

Our Curriculum

Our children are the driving force behind our curriculum. Their thoughts, actions, interests, cultural capital and individuality are woven into the rich tapestry of experiences we offer.

At Drayton House, we listen to our children and parents, using what we learn from them to develop a meaningful and diverse range of activities which nourish natural curiosity.

Through our dedicated nurturing and teaching, we aim for each child to leave us having experienced the awe and wonder of learning, ready for and excited about the next step on their journey.

What Parents Say About Us

9.2

Review Score for Review Score for Family First Day Nursery

38 reviews

February 5, 2026

Review of Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

We feel incredibly lucky to have found this nursery. Every single member of staff has been consistently understanding, kind, thoughtful and patient, especially during a period when our daughter was recovering and needed a little extra care and flexibility. Nothing ever felt like too much trouble and we were always met with warmth, reassurance and genuine empathy. The environment itself feels truly homely, safe and happy. There is a calm, caring atmosphere that immediately puts both children and parents at ease. Knowing our daughter is somewhere she is cared for so attentively has made a huge difference to us as a family. We could not recommend this nursery more highly.

A B

July 26, 2025

Review of Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

I couldn't have asked for a better place for my son to have spent his early years. As we near the end of his time here, I've been able to reflect on his experience over the last 2.5 years. It really is the most special place. The culture and values are embedded in the nursery's ethos - many staff have been here for years, and there's a reason for that. The provision of care is excellent - the nursery staff all really care about the children, turn up with positive attitudes every day, and create fun and engaging - but disciplined - innocent environments. What my son has taken away is a feeling of being loved, cared for, included, and inspired. He has learnt key academic things - from numbers to phonics - but more importantly he has been taught how to share, how to behave in a class setting and lunch table, how to respect others, to be kind, and to express himself. I couldn't ask for better foundations for him starting school. Drayton House really is like a home away from home.

Sarah K

February 11, 2025

Review of Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

Drayton House Nursery School is an incredible nursery. The staff are simply fantastic and adored by the children. It is a clean, bright, happy learning environment and I have always known my children are being well looked after.

Hannah G

January 22, 2025

Review of Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

My eldest has been coming here for a year and I am impressed with how attentive the staff are to all the children. They do such a wonderful job in letting them express themselves but also teaching them respect, and kindness along with the start to early curriculum. My child is super happy when they go and when they come home. His father also came to this nursery so it's a family-trusted place for us.

Emily B

January 22, 2025

Review of Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

Drayton House is a great nursery. Both my children go there and they love being there. Teachers have close connection with the children, they learn a lot and they have great friendships with other children.

Natalia P

January 22, 2025

Review of Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

Our little boy started at the nursery when he was just 8 months and from then he has gone from strength to strength. He loves nursery and runs in each morning greeting his friends and teachers with the biggest smile and "hello". He always looks forward to nursery which is what every parent wants in my view. We receive daily updates so we know exactly what he has been up to during the day and I have no doubt he is really well looked after whilst he is there with plenty of TLC available should he need it. There are so many activities available throughout the day and we can see from the photos how much fun our little boy is having with his friends. I've been told the food is " so nice" . The staff are clear and very understanding both in person and over the phone, filling us with great confidence in the nursery. We are often told what a happy little boy we have and I don't doubt that nursery plays a huge part in how he feels and behaves.

Amy Franklyn I

June 28, 2024

Review of Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

My eldest has attended this nursery since she was a baby and she is now coming to the end of her time in the pre-school. My youngest is currently in transition having started in the baby room. Both my children love coming to the nursery and happily walk in without a backward glance at drop-off. The staff are lovely and friendly and really like children. They have a varied curriculum and always try to make each day varied and interesting. They organise little trips out of the nursery, going on walks to the Downs and seeing plays at the nearby Spike Centre and organise events at the nursery (sports day and graduation for the pre-schoolers). In order to keep you informed they update the app with photos and occasionally send the children home with activities that they are working on in the nursery so you can reinforce the themes of the week.

Elizabeth M

June 25, 2024

Review of Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

Drayton House is a first-class nursery and has been a wonderful place for both my daughters to attend. The attention provided to the children from when they first joined (my youngest started at 7 months old) right through to graduation is of the highest standard. The emphasis on learning, behaviour, and character development and inclusion has been fundamental in both of my daughters' development. The staff really care about the children and having experienced other nurseries before, I can say that Drayton is comfortably the best out there.

Anthony A

March 28, 2024

Review of Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

My son has been attending Drayton House now for a few months and he really enjoys it there. He looks forward to going each day and loves all the different activities he gets to participate in. I have seen him progress in areas of his development such as his letter recognition and writing which has been amazing and that is down to his teachers and the staff who provide the best care for him. Very happy he gets the chance to play with other children and he has made lots of friends since starting too.

Terry H

March 26, 2024

Review of Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

Drayton House is a wonderfully loving, caring and nurturing nursery. My eldest loved her time at DH, the home-from-home feel, with structured learning enabled her to thrive and she was more than ready for school when she started. My son is now following in her footsteps and is loving every minute of being at Drayton House. We couldn't recommend the nursery highly enough. All of the staff go above and beyond providing the best environment for all those who come through its doors.

Claire F

March 26, 2024

Review of Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

Our son started in February and has come on leaps and bounds with speech and confidence, we really can't recommend this nursery enough, the staff and his lead worker have been amazing with us and very attentive to his needs.

Richard B

March 26, 2024

Review of Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

My 10 month old son has recently started at Drayton House in the day nursery and both my husband and I are absolutely delighted with our choice of nursery. The staff are lovely and the nursery has such a friendly comfortable feel to it. Our son has been doing lots of varied age-appropriate activities which he loves and the food they serve the children is excellent. We also love the daily report we receive that tells us what he’s been up to! Although I was nervous about him starting, after only a few weeks I am astounded by the progress he is making and I can only put that down to the great care he is getting - he seems very happy and comes home a content little boy. Thank you Drayton House for making the process of starting the nursery so easy and pleasant for a first-time mum!

Charlotte S

March 26, 2024

Review of Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

Drayton House is a top-notch nursery in every aspect right from the focus on exploratory learning and academics to extracurricular development and the development of personalities in young children. The nursery has been instrumental for my son in so many ways- behavioural development, support with learning etc and I noticed the changes within a few months. We have been to other nurseries, and Drayton House is definitely leagues beyond! Well done to the team for creating such a wonderful atmosphere for the little ones.

A S

March 6, 2024

Review of Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

My daughter joined the nursery in January and has been really happy since day one. The settling-in process was seamless. They do lots of fun activities and I receive detailed updates daily which I really like. The staff are so lovely and I am incredibly happy with my choice of nursery.

Jessica B

December 5, 2023

Review of Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

My little boy started a few months ago and since the first time he stepped into Drayton House he has loved it. He looks forward to attending each day and throughly enjoys being there, if it was up to him he would go every day! He takes great pleasure in telling us about the activities he has done that day and any significant events he can remember and all the friends he has played with. The nursery itself has such a home from home feel and the atmosphere is so welcoming and friendly. The class sizes are perfect for getting to know each child individually and making sure they are all happy. All the team from office staff and everyone who looks after all the children are simply wonderful, they go above and beyond to make sure the children receive the best care possible. I could not wish for anyone better to look after him and to help him grow in confidence, knowledge and giving him the best learning opportunities and experiences ready for when he goes to school.

A H

November 23, 2023

Review of Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

I am thrilled to share my positive experience with Drayton House. They have played a pivotal role in enhancing my child's independence and good behaviour. The transformation in their self-reliance and orderly conduct is truly remarkable. The teachers and staff at Drayton House deserve special praise. They are very friendly and incredibly helpful. The nurturing environment they create has a profound impact on the children.

Z L

November 17, 2023

Review of Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

My daughter started in the baby room just after she turned 1. The staff in the baby room are so caring and supportive, they will go above and beyond to satisfy our needs. My daughter is thriving in her class, she settled very quickly and is happy to go into nursery in the mornings. I love the variety of activities and the room looks great. The office staff have been fantastic, answering all of our hundreds of questions and very helpful in general. Thank you to all the staff, we appreciate such great care of our daughter.

Millie S

October 20, 2023

Review of Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

Our two-year-old daughter loves her time at Drayton House. The team have been fantastic from the very beginning, going out of their way to help her settle in quickly. They are very attentive to her individual personality and needs and she has progressed so much in her speech and skills since she started. The communication is really good and they are always very organised with every child's individual requirements. With lots of personal touches. So happy we chose Drayton House.

Emily C

September 5, 2023

Review of Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

Our 8 month old has been at Drayton House for a few months now. The team in the baby room have gone above and beyond to help her settle in and make the whole process easier for all of us. Communication from the office is fantastic and they are always happy to take a call from an emotional first time mum! The team have been so patient as we figured out how everything works and the daily diaries are such a great resource. We are keen for our daughter to spend lots of time playing outside so are very happy to hear that there are plans to upgrade the outside baby area. It’s clear that the staff really enjoy working there and that reflects in how they interact with the children. Very happy we chose Drayton House.

A B

August 14, 2023

Review of Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

Both my children (girl, now 6 and boy, now 3) joined Drayton House from the age of 1 and moved through from the baby room to pre-school and attended full time. Each room is expertly run and seeing how both children have flourished there has been wonderful. The size of the classes is perfect, the carers are experienced and friendly and the routine and activities are brilliant and fun! Both my children have left ready for school and with lovely friends.

Jay G

August 3, 2023

Review of Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

Drayton House is the best nursery in Guildford! Our son has been at Drayton for almost four years, from baby room to preschool. Our experience is an extremely happy one. There are no tears at drop off and pick-up is never rushed: we get a great run-down of our son’s day. Drayton offers a highly caring and nurturing environment with an independent feel. The class sizes are small so children get lots of attention. All staff, from the office to the classroom (across all ages) are top-notch, with years of early years experience and training. At preschool, they gently introduce phonics and teach children to tidy up, which helps for primary school. Other cool activities include Catalan lessons, music and gardening! Children spend lots of time in the outdoor playgrounds too. Our son has had an amazing early years experience, and Drayton has given us invaluable peace of mind while working during the day. We only wish we could stay on for another year!

Nicola L

August 3, 2023

Review of Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

Staff are always friendly and keen to share lots of details of the child’s activities. The child (1-2yr old) is always excited to go in so must be enjoying it! The food menu is always varied and sounds yummy and healthy!

S D

August 3, 2023

Review of Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

We've had an exceptional experience with Drayton House Nursery, where our daughter has been attending since she was 1 year old. The caring and supportive staff have always looked after her really well, attending to her individual needs and helping her grow. Our daughter is always happy to go and she speaks positively of the staff members and her friends. The nursery emphasizes educational activities, focusing on all different aspects of child development; from physical to cognitive skills. What sets Drayton House apart is their well-rounded approach and genuine dedication to nurturing children. If you're looking for a nursery that truly understands childhood and aims for comprehensive growth, Drayton House Nursery is an excellent choice. Thank you for being such a positive part of our family's journey!

C F

July 26, 2023

Review of Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

The staff in Drayton are brilliant, confident, professional, caring and knowledgeable. My daughter has learned a lot since she joined 6 months ago. Drayton House ensured us that my daughter is in safe hands. We have no doubt to register our little one with Drayton as well.

N C

July 25, 2023

Review of Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

My daughter really enjoys going to the nursery. There are lots of activities organised by loving and enthusiastic staff. My daughter has made friends with other children and has really benefited from the activities she takes part in at nursery.

K E

July 11, 2023

Review of Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

We transferred our little one to Drayton House Nursery School from another local nursery almost 2 years ago. As a comparison, the staff at Drayton House are really nice and caring, and the nursery always tries to keep a good teacher and children ratio. My little one is super happy and enjoys the time there! Highly recommended

P G

April 27, 2023

Review of Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

Drayton House is just amazing. My two other sons attended here 10 years ago so we were excited to put my third here. The staff are all amazing and a lot of them were there from before. Their staff retention is very high which makes their standards consistently high. They are brilliant with the children and really focus on independence and learning so they’re more than ready for their first experience of school when leaving. The nursery is always very tidy and clean and they encourage the children to tidy up after themselves. My children have never come home dirty too, noses are wiped, faces are clean and clothes are still immaculate from when they were dropped off as they ensure they wear aprons for messy play.

Gina L

April 27, 2023

Review of Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

We visited five nurseries in Guildford before enrolling our child in Drayton House almost four years ago. We chose Drayton because of the professionalism and experience of its teachers, its focus on learning and critical thinking through play and because the nursery exudes kindness, joy, and a Drayton House family feeling amongst its members. It’s the kind of nursery where 3-year-olds learn reading and positive leadership skills and where Drayton families meet at the playground around the corner to socialize while our kids play and share snacks. I could go on and on about Drayton, it’s simply outstanding.

Samia E

April 26, 2023

Review of Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

I have known Drayton House since 2019 when my first child started kindergarten and I did not doubt for a second to request a place for my youngest child, who now attends there and is a really happy boy. He has learnt a lot and we feel all the staff (from teachers to administrators) are really caring. I would recommend this nursery to any parent.

E B

April 26, 2023

Review of Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

My daughter has been coming to this nursery for over three years now. The nursery provides a great setting for learning through play. They have lots of different activities both inside and in the outdoor play area. Things in the last year that stand out include Catalan lessons, a trip to watch a show at a local school, animals coming to nursery, the Christmas show performed by the children, making smoothies, the Easter bonnet parade, the list goes on. The staff are kind, caring and nurturing whilst providing the discipline that all young children need. It is a great place and I'd recommend it.

K W

April 26, 2023

Review of Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

The staff are brilliant. The variety of activities and educational path is engaging and valuable for the kids' growth. I feel safe knowing that my son is in very experienced and caring hands at the nursery. My son every morning is eager to go to the nursery and to spend the day with his teachers and friends, once back home he shares what he did always with a smile. He learned a lot in these years and his progression has been amazing. Great experience for us.

Francesca S

April 26, 2023

Review of Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

We have had a fantastic experience at Drayton House Nursery School. We have recently moved our children to the nursery and the transition has been very smooth thanks to the care and attention they have both received. Drayton House has great facilities; such a large garden and a little explorers room that the children love! The staff are very experienced and have a focus on helping the children develop.

Kate F

April 19, 2023

Review of Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

Great nursery with kind and supportive staff and a really excellent range of activities carried out, lots of messy play and imaginative play and learning about the world. My child gets plenty of time outside and is developing really well and is always happy there.

L W

April 14, 2023

Review of Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

The sickness policy would require a bit more clarity. Parents are sometimes confused if the baby/toddler will be accepted at the nursery or not. Additional uniforms in kindergarten seem a bit early for a toddler. They can switch to uniforms at a later age. Generally, we are very happy with the nursery. My daughter loves her teachers and her friends, thanks. Best regards.

B C

April 12, 2023

Review of Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

Drayton House has provided amazing care for our little girl. She has attended since she was one and is now almost three and we have seen her confidence and social skills grow exponentially. The staff are very kind and caring and the administrative staff are responsive and pro-active. We are really happy to recommend the nursery to other parents.

Sally H

March 30, 2023

Review of Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

My children have both had a fantastic experience at Drayton House, staff are friendly and caring and the office team is hugely supportive. The staff there seem happy which really shows in their interactions with the children, it’s a really cheerful place. The range of activities is excellent, with early learning really made fun. I’d highly recommend it.

A S

March 29, 2023

Review of Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

Drayton House is an outstanding early-years learning institution. Our child has thrived developmentally, socially and creatively. Staff are knowledgeable about key milestones and are truly passionate about childcare. It is with great confidence that we have enrolled our second child to start in due course.

Lauren A

March 29, 2023

Review of Drayton House Day Nursery & Pre-School

Both of our girls absolutely love coming to nursery! They are regularly inspired, encouraged and empowered to try new things and the staff couldn’t be more supportive. We’re so glad we chose this lovely, special nursery!

K T